Location

Uganda: Kabale

Program Summary

Complete a medical rotation in Kabale, Uganda, and become part of the community and learn about their ground-breaking integrated approach to addressing and improving maternal and child health. The country is sadly in the top 20 in terms of infant and maternal mortality rates. The vast majority of women give birth without the assistance of anyone medically trained and in unequipped facilities. Because of other health-related issues, many pregnancies and births are complicated.

Volunteers will also help address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the area. Many cases are from mother-to-child transmission. Participants can help inform the population of ways to prevent this. They will also teach local Africans about health and nutrition to help with overall health.

The program starts at four weeks but can be extended to eight weeks or longer. Volunteers will gain experience by participating in rotations with a local healthcare worker and attending informational sessions that focus on the healthcare in the country, ...

Program Summary

Complete a medical rotation in Kabale, Uganda, and become part of the community and learn about their ground-breaking integrated approach to addressing and improving maternal and child health. The country is sadly in the top 20 in terms of infant and maternal mortality rates. The vast majority of women give birth without the assistance of anyone medically trained and in unequipped facilities. Because of other health-related issues, many pregnancies and births are complicated.

Volunteers will also help address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the area. Many cases are from mother-to-child transmission. Participants can help inform the population of ways to prevent this. They will also teach local Africans about health and nutrition to help with overall health.

The program starts at four weeks but can be extended to eight weeks or longer. Volunteers will gain experience by participating in rotations with a local healthcare worker and attending informational sessions that focus on the healthcare in the country, as well as cases that are common to the area. Volunteers will be immersed and feel prepared by the program's attentive nature. Volunteers will receive pre-departure materials and guidance, an orientation upon arrival, and weekly debriefings.

Program Highlights

1. Volunteer in the southwestern Uganda town of Kabale and learn about its ground-breaking integrated approach to addressing and improving maternal and child health.

2. Gain experience by participating in rotations with a local healthcare worker and attending informational sessions that focus on healthcare in Uganda.

3. Be immersed and feel prepared by the program's attentive nature.

4. Help address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the area and teach locals about health and nutrition.

5. Receive pre-departure materials and guidance, an orientation upon arrival, and weekly debriefings.

10/ 10

Submitted by
Akiba -
Baltimore United StatesUniversity of Maryland| February 22, 2017

My very first trip abroad was certainly one for the books and I thank CFHI for that! During the four weeks I was away, I was able to travel to three different countries within East Africa; Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. After vacation in Kenya, I completed the 2 week intensive global health education program with Child Family Health International. The program was called "Maternal & Child Health, HIV and Realities of Health Access", and took place in a rural town called Kabale, located within South Western Uganda. The experience was phenomenal; from the people I met, the breathtaking scenery, the delicious food I tasted, the sights I saw, and the information I obtained. One of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to visit different clinical settings, shadowing the clinical staff, and learning how our American health systems compare and contrast with health systems in these countries. I am from Washington D.C., where the rate of people living with HIV is still very high, so it was eye-opening to witness HIV diagnosis, counseling and treatment in another country. I also enjoyed visiting the beneficiaries of a public health project which was being implemented to decrease rates of malnutrition. My own personal public health interests include chronic and infectious diseases, maternal/ child health, social justice issues, and eliminating health disparities among under-served populations; all areas of which this trip covered. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to experience a world so different from mine, and will move forward in pursuing my career in public health with a new interest in global health as well!

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Academics

8

Living Situation

9

Cultural Immersion

10

Program Administration

10

Health & Safety

10

Community

10

Life changing Experience!

Submitted by
cjglobalhealth -
Baton Rouge, LA | December 28, 2015

I am forever changed by my Ugandan experience. Thank you CFHI for this amazing opportunity, and thank you KIHEFO for accepting me like family. This was truly a once in a lifetime adventure. CFHI provided me with an opportunity to be immersed in Ugandan culture. This is the way to experience global health! I was forced to put my own assumptions aside and learn to think about health from a different perspective. I left Uganda with a new sense of purpose and a renewed passion for global healthcare.

Uganda is a great country with even greater people. I will never forget the special people that I met. The KIHEFO staff was incredible and truly did everything possible to ensure that I enjoyed my stay. I am forever grateful for there amazing hospitality. This entire experience has changed my outlook on not only health but also on life.

Overall Rating

7/ 10

Academics

7

Living Situation

7

Cultural Immersion

7

Program Administration

7

Health & Safety

7

Community

7

KIHEFO CLINIC

Submitted by
Selem -
Washington DC GW School of Medicine| August 06, 2015

I am a medical student who was looking for clinical experience in an East African setting. I found that staff at KIHEFO were incredibly warm and welcoming. They worked very hard to adjust the experience to my educational and clinical level. There was also community work involved through their outreach programs which involve providing healthcare in the villages for those unable to come to clinic.

There was a cultural component as well. The people were eager to teach and share their traditions and history. Time is sectioned off to tour the western region of Uganda, attend sight seeing trips, safari and animal tracking like gorillas. Many students found this experience to be worthwhile and a safe bet especially for those who have not traveled to Africa in the past.

Adventure Types

Climbing

Eco Tours

Hiking

Homestay

Nature Tours

Trekking

Subjects & Courses

Counseling

Development Studies

Education

Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Health Sciences

Human Rights Advocacy

Humanities

Liberal Arts

Midwifery

Political Science & Politics

Public Health

Public Management

Service Learning

Social Policy

Sustainable Development

Women's Studies

Fields

Counseling

Development

Education

Health Sciences

Human Rights

Humanities

Liberal Arts

Medicine

Public Administration & Government

Sustainable Development

Women's Studies

Causes

Aids

Childcare & Children

Community Development

Counseling

Culture

Economic Development

Education

Gender Issues

Grassroots Organization

Health Care

Health Education

Human Rights

Medicine

Public Health

Public Policy

Small Business Development

Women

Youth Development

Program Duration

2-4 Weeks, 5-8 Weeks

Terms Available

Throughout the year

Participation Guidelines

Worldwide Participants.
This Program is also open to Couples.

Cost in USD per week

Contact Provider for Cost Details

Program Includes:

What's included:

Pre-departure and on-site orientation materials and guidance
Accommodation on a shared basis with three meals a day. (The local coordinators will charge you for additional nights outside the program dates.)
International Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance
Airport pick up on arrival
All preceptor, hospital and coordinator fees
Scheduled meetings with Local Coordinator and Medical Director

What's not included:

Airfare to program site
Passport or visa fees
Other expenses of a personal nature like weekend and after-hour activities. This includes but is not limited to local transportation, tourist trips in and around the program site, and any personal expenses incurred.

Accommodation Options

Home-stays

Group living

Salary & Compensation

None

Experience Required

No.

Qualifications

This program is open to participants who are 20 or over at the time of participation. We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

Pre-Medical Students
Post-bacc pre-medical students
Gap year pre-medical students
Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
Nursing students
Public Health Students
Physicians Assistant Students
Social Work Students
Naturpathic students
Medical Residents, MD & DO

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Language Requirement:

There is no language requirement for this program. English is widely spoken.